High challenge on Longstaff ‘not a penalty’
THE contentious call not to award Newcastle United a penalty for James Tarkowski’s high challenge on Sean Longstaff at Turf Moor was correct.
That is according to former leading Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg, who believes it was a “subjective call” as Tarkowski “did not know Longstaff was behind him.”
The decision sparked fury among Newcastle supporters on Sunday as, with the Magpies 1-0 down, midfielder Longstaff was felled going for a header inside the penalty area by the high boot of defender Tarkowski, who was trying to make a clearance.
Referee Anthony Taylor consulted with VAR but decided to stick with his decision not to award a penalty, much to the fury of United.
In the end it mattered little as goals from Jacob Murphy and Allan Saint-Maximin sealed a crucial 2-1 win at Turf Moor to lift Steve Bruce’s side six points clear of the relegation zone with seven matches - and a game in hand over 18th-placed Fulham remaining.
However, Clattenburg, who is a Newcastle fan, feels the correct decision was made not to award a penalty.
The former European Championships and Champions League final official said: “James Tarkowski’s foot made contact with Sean Longstaff’s head.
“There is no question about that, so you can make an argument for a penalty for Newcastle.
“However, it is clear from the replays Tarkowski did not know Longstaff was behind him when he made his clearance.
“He cleared the ball and Longstaff threw his head in. It was a subjective call.
“Referee Anthony Taylor did not see it as a foul in real time.
“VAR Stuart Attwell backed his on-field official in deciding Tarkowski should not be punished for the follow-through of his clearance.”